What is culture? Some define it as the arts and other products of human works or manifestations of human intellectual achievement. However you define it, culture is that broad category that describes who we are, what we do and what we value.

IMPACT OF THE ARTS & CULTURE

ECONOMIC: A comprehensive economic analysis from the University of New Mexico’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (Dr. Jeffrey Mitchell, lead researcher and director of BBER) provides insight into the impact and potential of New Mexico’s arts, cultural, and creative industries. Key data from the report include:

· The arts and cultural sector contributes $5.6 billion to New Mexico’s economy each year.

· Arts and cultural industries provide primary employment for 76,756 New Mexicans (9.8% of employment -- one of out of every 10 jobs).

· Arts and cultural industries generate $137 million in revenues for state and local governments.

The research illustrates that as we invest resources and develop economic policies, we must “recognize that arts and cultural vitality are not luxuries in our communities, they are preconditions to economic development” according to Dr. Mitchell. The executive summary and full report can be found at: http://nmculture.org/impact.

INDIVIDUAL: Economic development is not the only benefit for a vibrant community filled with arts and cultural opportunities. The City of Carlsbad provides these amenities so that people might realize a high quality of life; and that their good way of life might express itself in their institutions and activities, helping individuals to flourish in their own ways.